Category: Uncategorized
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From First Responders to Long-Term Stabilizers
When federal paychecks are delayed, when inflation eats away at household budgets, or when a natural disaster shuts down a community, the institutions that step in quickly are the community-rooted credit unions and banks such as certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs). They have been called “financial first responders,” a…
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Why Reciprocal Deposit Networks Deserve a Second Look: Insights from the Dallas Fed
Banks, depositors, and regulators alike are grappling with how to modernize deposit insurance in an era of larger balances, diversified banking relationships, and evolving risks. A recent Dallas Fed analysis, “How do reciprocal deposit networks interact with deposit insurance?”, provides strong incentive for rethinking how regulators should treat banks that participate in reciprocal deposit networks.…
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Brewing Resilience and Serving Community: Small Business Stories Fueling L.A.’s Recovery
When California’s wildfires swept through Los Angeles this year, their impact went far beyond charred landscapes, it disrupted the heartbeat of neighborhoods and shook the foundations of small, community-driven businesses. Yet amid the smoke and uncertainty, two local entrepreneurs; Natalie of Cafecita Coffee and Roozbeh of Delphi Greek Restaurant, stood as living testaments to the…
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From a 529 credit score to Success: How Cardinal Credit Union Transformed One Member’s Financial Future
Several years ago, Marcus1 walked into a motorcycle dealership with hope in his heart but uncertainty in his financial past. Just over a year earlier, he had filed for bankruptcy—a difficult decision that left him with a credit score of 529 and limited options for rebuilding his financial life. What he didn’t know was that…
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What Is a CDFI and Why Should Corporate Treasurers Care?
What is a CDFI? Corporate treasurers are tasked with safeguarding liquidity, preserving capital, and managing risk in a rapidly shifting financial landscape. While large national institutions remain the default for many, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) offer an alternative that combines federally insured safety with diversification benefits. Certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury,…
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The Infrastructure of Opportunity: 5 Ways Community Financial Institutions Build Thriving Communities
A single mother in rural Mississippi can’t get to her new job because there’s no reliable transportation. A corner store owner in Detroit wants to accept credit cards and offer fresh produce but can’t afford the equipment upgrades and refrigeration systems. A community health center in Appalachia can’t serve patients effectively because their building needs…
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Inside CNote’s Flagship Fund Fixed Income Opportunity.
At CNote, we believe your money should work toward more than just financial returns—it should help build stronger communities. That’s the idea behind our fixed income products, which allow clients to earn returns while supporting opportunities like small business growth, affordable housing, and disaster recovery. The Flagship Fund, with a history of no losses, is…
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Building Dreams, One Member at a Time: How Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union is Transforming Communities
In Petersburg, Virginia, homeownership dreams feel within reach—even for those who’ve been told “no” countless times before. At Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union (PAFCU), being a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) means more than just offering loans. It means creating pathways to prosperity for underserved communities through innovative programs that traditional banks simply won’t provide.…
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How Companies Can Support Affordable Housing Through Cash Management
When companies consider cash management, their primary focus is typically on safety, liquidity, and yield. But cash can do more than sit in a low-yield account or a money market fund. By placing deposits with community-focused banks and credit unions, companies can keep their money safe while also supporting critical needs like affordable housing. It’s…
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Building More Than a Platform: How CNote Advances the Entire Community Finance Ecosystem
By Tamra Thetford, VP of Impact Evaluation When CNote was founded, our founders could have chosen the easier path by building a simple platform that connects investors with community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Instead, they recognized that truly addressing systematic challenges in how capital flows to underserved communities required something more ambitious: building solutions that…